INVEST IN
SOUTHWEST
ALBERTA – TOURISM
Envisioning a Landscape of Investment
Opportunities and Export Capacity
Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism contains an analysis of the
tourism sector in the southwest region of Alberta from an investment
perspective. This document contains information on the region’s
existing tourism product, its competitive edge, and access to markets,
opportunities, incentives and resources.
www.InvestSouthwestAlberta.com
1-403-627-3020
[email protected]
Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism
Invest in Southwest Alberta –
Tourism
ENVISIONING A LASCAPE OF INVESTMENT
AN UNLIMITED LANDSCAPE OF OPPORTUNITY
Southwest Alberta offers immediate opportunities to invest in existing businesses, start new
ventures and/or explore partnerships with established firms in the thriving tourism sector.
This unique region is an ideal location to live, learn and invest due to its:
 Low Business Costs – one of the most competitive tax environments in North
America – The combined federal/provincial corporate income tax rate is 27% for
general businesses and 14% for small businesses;
 Strategic Location and Access – $845 million in major provincial projects have been
announced for the Southern Alberta Transmission Reinforcement initiative which
equates to better service, more efficient transmission of renewable energy, and new
opportunities in value chain growth; and
 Entrepreneurial Spirit – a skilled, young and productive workforce populates this
stunning area.
Fort Macleod: Fort Museum North West Mounted Police Ride.
Today, tourism is one of the leading industries in the province of Alberta, employing over
114,000 Albertans and generating over $7.4 billion in annual expenditures. It is supported
by a range of hospitality and service-related businesses that cater to the needs of Albertans
travelling in their own province as well visitors from other parts of Canada, the United
States, Mexico, Europe and Asia.
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Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism
Tourism is big business – and not only in Alberta. The federal government estimates that
tourism contributes as much to Canada’s wealth as agriculture, fishery and forestry
combined.
LAY OF THE LAND
The Alberta SouthWest Region includes 16 municipalities and covers an area of 15,446
square kilometers, larger in size than the state of Connecticut. The region accounts for
2.4% of Alberta’s land mass. Its population of 36,700 residents, living in 16 vibrant
communities and representing 1.0% of Alberta’s population, call southwest Alberta home.
The six major centres are Cardston, Crowsnest Pass, Claresholm, Fort Macleod, Nanton,
and Pincher Creek.
This creates a region of wide open spaces that is very attractive to visitors and represents
potential for continued growth. The communities in the region are within a 150 km radius
and vary in size from full service centers of over 5, 500 people to charming villages of 200450 people. The communities work in partnership on initiatives to facilitate sustainable
economic growth.
The region boasts one of the highest quality of life standards in the world, with recreational
settings, strong community values and an average household income of over $80,000 (2011).
Southwest Alberta has significant geographic diversity; from prairie grasslands and
foothills, to river valleys and the majestic mountain peaks of the Canadian Rockies. Big sky
starry nights free of light pollution, and
333 days of annual sunshine add to the
appeal of this spectacular region. With
clean, fresh water, more hours of sunshine
than anywhere else in Canada and a
bounty of natural resources, Southwest
Alberta proves an idyllic setting for living
and a great location for commerce.
Over 1,900 businesses currently operate in
Southwest Alberta’s vibrant and diverse
economy. Local companies benefit from a
young, highly skilled and educated
workforce. In 2012, 48.3% of the labour
force aged 25 and over reported holding a
university degree or post-secondary
diploma, and two-thirds of the region’s
population was aged between 15 and 64.
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Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism
A DIVERSE ECONOMY
The tourism industry is an economic mainstay in the region, vibrant and growing with a
breadth of opportunities relating to the abundant natural landscapes, historic landmarks,
and a variety of cultural influences. In addition to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites
(Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump), this
region offers historic sites, golfing, delightful campgrounds, beautiful provincial parks,
western and cowboy themed activities, and spectacular outdoor adventure and recreation
including hiking trails and ski hills. The region has a diverse and visible heritage from coal
mining in the Crowsnest Pass, prairie pioneering, the Northwest Mounted Police, a strong
and vibrant agricultural tradition and the cultural richness of First Nations.
The varied and stunning landscapes and historic town
sites have made this region a “living movie set”.
Southwest Alberta is one of Alberta’s top film location
sites where cinematic masterpieces such as Little Big
Man; Betrayal; Days of Heaven, Unforgiven, and
Brokeback Mountain were filmed.
Technology-led
enterprise could also extend into the video/film and
digital media sector.
Southern Alberta’s beautiful vistas and mountain views
have been captured in dozens of films over the years.
The industry is positioned to grow in the next five years
as the building of Alberta’s new $23 million dollar film
www.albertamoviemaps.com
studio in Calgary will be completed in 2015.
has past movie set locations and
three free driving tours.
Southwest Alberta also forms the northeast corner of the
“Crown of the Continent,” which is a larger transboundary region encompassing the
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Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, and the surrounding areas of British Columbia
and Montana. In 2007 National Geographic identified the Crown of the Continent as a
significant “geotourism” destination that is particularly attractive to the traveller who is
interested in experiencing the unique character of place, in terms of landscape, culture and
historical significance. The region has continued to partner with National Geographic and the
transboundary partners to develop tourism product and market the region with a
geotourism map guide and the Crown of the Continent website.
In 2012 Pathways to Prosperity was
published illustrating how the
Crown’s appeal has emerged as one
of the area’s most important
economic assets. Success stories of
entrepreneurs
are
shared,
demonstrating that locating to areas
within the Crown “is no longer a
trade-off between livelihood and
lifestyle; today’s entrepreneurs are
having their scenery and eating it
too.”
Waterton Lakes National Park – An UNESCO SITE
A sampling of cultural, natural,
historic, recreational, outdoor, entertainment and just plain fun experiences have been
provided below:
Historical
o Remington Carriage Museum
o Courthouse Museum
o Frank Slide Interpretive Center
o Leitch Collieries
o Bellevue Underground Mine
o Nanton Bomber Museum
o Canadian Grain Elevator Discovery Centre
o Empress Theatre
o Fort Museum of NWMP and First Nations
o Pioneer Place/Kootenai Brown Village
o Heritage Acres Farm Museum
Recreation & Outdoor Adventure
o Riding/ranch vacations
o Canoeing & Kayaking
o White Water Rafting
o Climbing & Hiking
o Cycling
o Fishing
o Golf (Courses in Cardston,
Claresholm, Crowsnest Pass,
Fort Macleod, Granum,
Pincher Creek, Nanton,
Stavely, and Waterton)
o Skiing
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Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism
Cultural & Natural destinations
o
o
o
o
o
Buffalo Rock Tipi Camp
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park
Windy Rafters Barn Dance
Great Canadian Barn Dance
Blackfoot Nation Dance, Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump
Entertainment and Attractions
o Rodeo
o Festivals
o Live Music
o Theatre
o Powwows
o Art galleries
o Antiques
Experiential Tourism
Waterton Shoreline Cruise Co.
Step aboard the historic M.V.
International, cruise along the
shoreline of the beautiful Upper
Waterton Lake and cross the
international border to Goat
Haunt, Montana. In addition,
water shuttles cross the lake to
Crypt Landing daily; the gateway
to a breathtaking hiking trail.
Enjoy some of the most
spectacular mountain scenery the
Rockie Mountains have to offer.
Nanton Pro Rodeo
Cruising on the M.V. International
.
View majestic towering cliffs, unique geological formations, beautiful
waterfalls, snow clad
mountain peaks and the international border. Bring your camera; tour boats make
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Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism
photographic and wildlife stops. Bald eagle, bear, moose, deer, mountain sheep and
mountain goats are often seen.
 Fishing
Southwestern Alberta is the perfect place to experience world-class fishing. The following
operators offer equipment and guided fishing trips, as well as directions to a number of
rivers to find the perfect location.
o The Crowsnest Angler Fly Shop & Guide Service
o Alberta Fly Fishing/Crowsnest Café & Flyshop
o Incept Adventure Co.
 Riding/ranch vacations
The Western lifestyle is a staple in the region. Learn
what it takes to be part of an operational cattle
ranch or simply enjoy riding through the stunning
landscapes with your equine partner. Riding and
ranch style experiences are offered by ranch
vacation operators in the area. Each of these
operators is extremely welcoming and offers an
unforgettable experience.

o Rangeview Ranch Vacations
Southwest Alberta Ranch and Farm Life
.
o Centre Peak High Country Valley Adventures
o Lucasia Ranch Vacations
o Sierra West Cabins & Ranch Vacations
o Alpine Stables
o Oxely Ranch Vacations
Skiing
For families and high-performance skiers alike, the two ski hills in the region are sure to
satisfy.
o Pass Powderkeg
Pass Powderkeg offers night skiing and
challenging terrain parks. In the summer the trails
are open for mountain biking.
o Castle Mountain Resort
Castle Mountain Resort has some of the longest
vertical runs in North America (nearly 3,000 feet)
making it a mountain worth visiting for avid
Castle Mountain Ski Resort
skiers. At the same time they are able to maintain a
.
family-friendly focus to make everyone at every level feel welcome. Castle is the only ski
hill in Alberta to offer the unique experience of Cat-skiing!
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Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism
 White water rafting/kayaking
Incept Adventure Co. is the place to contact if you’re
looking to kayak, white water raft, or want a
knowledgeable fishing guide.
Whether you’re an “experienced adventurer” or just
want to give one of these experiences a try, Incept
Adventure Co. is the place to go.
Exhilarating Experiences with
Incept Adventure Co.
.
 Sinister 7 Ultra
If you’re a runner looking to push yourself to the max,
the Sinister 7 Ultra is a race that may be the greatest
challenge of your life. The 100-mile (161km) course
will take you through the most rugged, remote and
beautiful terrain in Alberta's stunning Rocky
Mountains. With 5,687m of elevation gain across the
course, this race will punish those who are not
prepared.
The Sinister 7 Ultra.
UNPARALLELED ACCESS TO MARKETS
.
HIGHWAYS
 Highway 2 (CANAMEX) accelerates the
Distance to:
Kilometers
Miles
north-south flow of goods, connecting
Lethbridge, AB
100
62
Alberta to the U.S.A. and Mexico.
Calgary, AB
216
134
 Highway 1 (TransCanada) is Canada’s
Fort McMurray, AB
952
592
major east-west trade corridor, spanning
Seattle, WA
956
594
across all ten Canadian provinces, linking
Vancouver, BC
1166
724
the east and west coasts.
Los Angeles, CA
2313
1437
 Highway 3 west connects Alberta to
Toronto, ON
3419
2125
Vancouver, British Columbia and the Port
Houston, TX
3389
2016
Metro Vancouver deep-sea terminal,
Montreal, QC
3499
2174
Canada’s largest sea port and the fourth
New York, NY
3854
2395
largest tonnage port in North America.
Halifax, NS
4735
2942
Highway 3 East links to the Trans-Canada
Highway, all major eastern Canadian highways as well as the Atlantic Ocean.
 Major Port of Entry to the USA: one hour south of Fort Macleod is Canada’s 9th busiest
border crossing, Coutts/Sweet Grass, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism
AIR
 One of Alberta’s longest runways lies within the region, and is managed by the
Municipal District of Pincher Creek. The runway is at 1190 meters (3,903 feet) elevation
and is 2012 meters (6,600 feet) in length.
 Within an hour to 1.5 hour drive is the Lethbridge airport, operating 24/7 with daily
scheduled flights. There is also an on-site NAV CANADA Flight Services Station that
operates 16 hours per day.
 Just a two-hour drive away from most communities is the Calgary International Airport,
Canada’s third largest. Connecting passengers through daily scheduled flights to 100
International destinations, the airport also serves as a major cargo hub for Western
Canada.
RAIL
 Products can be shipped by rail on the
Canadian Pacific Railway mainline.
Lethbridge boasts a major freight
handling facility, with tracks running
in all four cardinal directions.
Products are easily shipped north to
Calgary, south to the U.S.A., east to
large markets in southern Ontario, and
west to Vancouver and beyond to the
Pacific Rim.
A major freight mainline runs through the
region linking British Columbia and Port
Metro Vancouver to a major freight handling
facility in Lethbridge.
MAJOR TOURISM SECTOR EMPLOYERS
Examples of companies that contribute to the growth in this key industry are listed below:
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Waymarker Hospitality
Bayshore Inn & Properties
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Castle Mountain Resort
Frank Slide Interpretive Centre
A GLOBAL CONTENDER IN BUSINESS COSTS
Work here. Live here. Do business here. Get more. Pay less. Alberta has one of the most
competitive tax environments in North America and fosters innovation through its probusiness attitude. Investors continue to take advantage of its low property, corporate and
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Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism
personal income tax rates. Alberta is the only province that does not have a provincial
retail sales tax. It has no provincial capital or payroll taxes, nor machinery and equipment
taxes. Alberta has none of the taxes typical in many other provinces and in the U.S.A.



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Small business owners pay lower taxes (total of personal and business income tax,
sales tax, gas tax, health premiums) in Alberta than in any other province in Canada.
The combined federal/provincial corporate income tax rate is 27% for general
businesses and 18% for small businesses.
Alberta has the lowest gasoline taxes in Canada.
Alberta Healthcare is the best funded in the country, representing one third of the
annual provincial budget. Canada provides publically funded healthcare services,
reducing the cost to private business.
Specifically, southwest Alberta’s competitive advantage lies in its vast land resources,
affordable cost of business and cost of living, as well as access to markets:



Lower than provincial average labor costs
Small business owners pay lower taxes (total of personal and business income, sales,
gas taxes and health premiums) than they would in any other province
Average house prices approximately 58% lower than the Alberta average

Municipal commercial taxes are roughly $1500/$100,000 of assessment. This is
roughly 25% lower than the Calgary Region for comparable enterprise operating
space;


Competitively low water, natural gas and electricity utility rates; and
Internationally competitive manufacturing costs in green energy.

The tourism industry is growing and has breadth including culture, recreation,
outdoor adventure, and all season destinations. Tourism infrastructure, service and
operator opportunities are present.
The agricultural character of the region contributes to a stable economic base.
Communities are effective service centers, and quality of life amenities are attracting
technology and knowledge workers and entrepreneurs who can choose where to
establish.

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EXISTING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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Crowsnest Pass Cabin/Resort Development
Cardston County “The Great Canadian Barn Dance” Lodge Development
Cardston RV Campground Expansion
Belly River Teepee and RV Campground Development
Sentinel RV Resort Development
Waterton Eco-lodge Resort Development
Crowsnest Pass Ski Resort Expansion
MD of Willow Creek Cowboy Action Shooting Facility
Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass or Castle Mountain Zip line Development
Pincher Creek RV Park and Campground Development
For a more in depth review of these opportunities please consult the following document:
Government of Alberta Southwest Alberta Investment Opportunities
INCENTIVES
Southwest Alberta supports existing, expanding and new businesses through its strategic
network of 16 regional communities. Collaborative initiatives with each other, the City of
Lethbridge, Lethbridge County, the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College
encourage budding entrepreneurs, and provide access to market and investment
opportunities.
Travel Alberta Industry Programs and Resources
Website: www.industry.travelalberta.com
Phone: 1 (403) 648-1000
Email: [email protected]
Tourism Market Monitor
The monthly Alberta Tourism Market Monitor highlights travel, accommodation and
attendance statistics:
 Accommodation occupancy rates and average daily room rates
 Air passenger enplanements and deplanements
 National Park visits
 Historic sites and museum attendance figures
 Employment in food and accommodation sector
 Restaurant receipts
 Highway traffic counts
The annual Tourism Market Modifier can be viewed here
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Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism
If you would like to receive an email that informs you when the updated Market Monitor is
available, please email [email protected]
Cooperative Marketing Investment Program
The mission of the Cooperative Marketing Investment Program is to increase the marketing
capacity of our industry partners. Their strategy is to grow tourism revenues by investing
in industry-led marketing partnerships that foster collaboration, drive return on investment
and align with Travel Alberta’s business strategy. Cooperative Marketing funding is
available to Alberta’s tourism industry whose projects comply with the Cooperative
Marketing Guidelines and Eligible Expenses.
The Canada’s West Marketplace Scholarship Program
Travel Alberta’s strategy is to target high potential international markets with export-ready
experiences. The Canada’s West Marketplace Scholarship Program is designed to help
industry showcase Alberta travel experiences to international tour operators at the annual
Canada’s West Marketplace. Attracting more than 120 international tour operators and
wholesalers from Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas, Canada’s West Marketplace is the
most effective way for Alberta tourism suppliers to present their products, experiences and
services to tourism buyers from around the world.
The Canada’s West Marketplace Scholarship Program is an innovative program that assists
Alberta-based tourism businesses that offer export-ready products or services. The program
provides financial support and coaching to attend Canada’s West Marketplace.
Certified Destination Management Executive Scholarship Program
Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) is a recognized leader in the
Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) industry and their Certified Destination
Management Executive (CDME) program is designed to help DMO leaders effectively
adapt and manage increasing change and competition.
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Invest in Southwest Alberta – Tourism
REGIONAL CONTACTS
Community Futures Alberta Southwest
P.O. Box 1568
2nd Floor – 659 Main Street
Pincher Creek, AB, Canada , T0K 1W0
Phone: 403 627-3020
Toll Free 1-800-565-4418
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.southwest.albertacf.com
Community Futures Crowsnest Pass
P.O Box 818
12501 20th Avenue
Blairmore, AB, Canada T0K 0E0
Phone: 403-562-8857
Email: :[email protected]
Web: www.communityfuturescnp.ca
Southwest Alberta Regional Economic Development Alliance
P.O Box 1041
#221 Provincial Building
782 Main Street,
Pincher Creek, AB, Canada
Phone: 403-627-3373
Toll Free 1-888-627-3373
Email: mailto:[email protected]
Web: www.albertasouthwest.com
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